The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said Sri Lanka was effetively under a doctatorship.

"On Monday (3) the Court of Appeal suspended Mahinda Rajapaksa and the purported government. The President has refused to appoint a government who commands a majority in Parliament," the UNP tweeted, explaining the reasons behind its claim.

UNP lawmakers have also argued that according to Article 52(3) of the Constitution, secretaries to Ministries also cease to hold office upon the dissolution of the Cabinet. The President is yet to make a statement on the situation in relation to the ministry secretaries.

However, addressing an SLFP convention at the Sugathadasa Indoor stadium earlier this week, Sirisena said he would resolve the current political crisis in seven days. The President also dismissed claims that he was acting in an authoritarian manner.